There are certain foods and drinks that do more than satisfy your appetite. They transport you back to another place and time, bringing with them memories of family, traditions, and moments you didn’t realize would stay with you forever.
Over the May long weekend, we made a visit to Hyperama and Lekker Meat Shop. Walking through the doors, seeing familiar products on the shelves, and hearing South African accents around me always feels a little special. It’s a reminder that although Canada is now home, there are still pieces of South Africa that I can find here.
Of course, we couldn’t leave without food.
We picked up Pora Pora chicken in both lemon butter and peri-peri flavours. The chicken was tender, juicy, and packed with flavour. The lemon butter version was rich and comforting, while the peri-peri had just the right balance of heat and spice. It was messy, delicious, and exactly the kind of meal that instantly reminded me of home.
But as much as I enjoyed the chicken, it was the drinks and treats that truly transported me back.
One of those was Bashews.
Growing up in Cape Town, Bashews was never just a soft drink. It was the drink that appeared at birthday parties, weddings, Christmas lunches, and family gatherings. If a bottle of Bashews appeared on the table, you knew it was a special occasion.
One of my strongest memories is of the bakkie (pickup truck) driving through the neighbourhood where Ma lived. The driver would collect empty bottles and deliver fresh orders to homes. Looking back, it seems like such a simple thing, but it’s one of those memories that has stayed with me all these years.
Today, Bashews comes in a can, but one sip instantly brought back memories of Christmas celebrations, family gatherings, and being surrounded by people I loved.
Then there were the koesisters.
For those unfamiliar, a koesister is a traditional Cape Malay treat made from a soft, spiced dough flavoured with ingredients like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and aniseed. After frying, it is lightly coated in syrup and rolled in coconut. Sweet, fragrant, and comforting, it has become a beloved part of Cape Town’s food culture.
Growing up in Cape Town, Sunday mornings often meant a koesister and a cup of tea with Ma before heading off to church. At the time, it was simply part of our routine. Looking back now, those mornings have become some of my most treasured memories. It’s funny how food can do that.
A bite of a koesister or a sip of Bashews isn’t just about flavour. It’s about family. It’s about traditions. It’s about moments that become part of who you are.
Living in Toronto has introduced me to incredible foods and cultures from around the world, and that’s one of the things I love most about this city. But every now and then, finding a taste of your own story feels especially meaningful.
A little taste of Cape Town in my Canadian home.
And a reminder that home isn’t always a place. Sometimes it’s a flavour, a smell, a meal, or a memory.
🇿🇦❤️🇨🇦
CocoaGirlinToronto 